Hope

A poem. by Brennan Solecky

We have to hold onto hope, they say Well, that’s easier said than done. Our crisis calls are rising, One by desperate one.

Our shelter beds are full, And we have endless requests for room, We’ve got women and children needing shelter And know space won’t open up soon.

The housing crisis is real, There’s nowhere for people to go The prices are too high, rooms aren’t safe Clients need answers other than “no”.

The kids in schools are struggling. The pandemic has set them back. Our Youth Educators tirelessly strive To guide them back on track.

We have to hold onto hope, they say You must be kidding – what’s the use? Local overdose deaths are climbing So are rates of substance abuse.

Mental health concerns are growing People are trying to cope Our counsellors’ jobs are getting harder But still, they say – have hope!

The Femicide List is growing, Women and girls who’ve lost their lives 38 once glowing hearts now dim, Daughters, grandmas, aunts, moms and wives.

That’s not a problem in Canada, they say Not in this city, not in my town. This belief is flawed and wrong, Femicide rates aren’t going down.

We have to hold onto hope, they say Then, they overturn Roe v. Wade? A woman’s choice and autonomy ripped away By men, these decisions were made.

It’s easy to be quick to anger, When oppression, misogyny and ignorance run free When it feels like we’re going backwards Aren’t we in 2023!?

Hope feels fleeting at best When we look at our current state But losing hope won’t help us We know the risks are too great.

With rising demands for service and space, We know we can’t give up. Our community needs us more than ever now. Our community needs more love.

We continue to champion and advocate For progress and funding and change The fact that disparities and inequalities still exist Is wrong, and criminal and strange.

Whenever there’s a crisis Thankfully, the government steps right in. With emergency funding, grants and support Until these resources run thin.

Community has meant more than ever this year Donations, time and support We’ve counted on our donor family When funds and hope came up short.

We have to hold onto hope, they say You know – I think that might be true. We’ve got women and children relying on us, There’s no shortage of work to do.

Hope will keep us going Hope will keep us strong When everything in this world, Feels like it’s going wrong.

Hope will keep us humble Hope will keep us alive Hope will give us the will to go on, With hope, together we’ll thrive.

We will hold onto hope, I say For each person that comes through our door. Because as long as there is hope, Each new day can be better than those before.

Brennan Solecky is FTP’s Director of Development & Community Engagement